This is the third book in the Thornleigh series by Barbara Kyle. The book is set after the failed Wyatt rebellion. Lady Elizabeth is deadly frightened that her sister, Queen Mary would kill her. Queen Mary on the other hand, is in love with her husband, King Philip. Her mission is to bring England back to the Catholic faith.
Honor Thornleigh and her family are living in exile at Antwerp after they escaped from the executions after the failed Wyatt rebellion in 'The King's Daughter'. Their daughter, Isabel Thornleigh and her husband Carlos Valverde are heading to the New World because the Thornleigh family are broke. No one wants to do business with the Thornleigh's anymore. Even Adam Thornleigh has to work for someone else even though his is capable of being captain of his own ship.
The Thornleigh family's financial troubles soon change when William Cecil asks Honor to advise the Lady Elizabeth on how to survive. With the help of Cecil and an unknowing Queen Mary (who is so in love to know what she's signing), Richard Thornleigh gets a royal pardon and the family is able to get their lives back in England once more.
Being advisor to the Lady Elizabeth would be hard for Honor, especially with the type of security watching her every move. Posing as a washerwoman, Honor is able to talk to the Lady Elizabeth and gaining some type of respect.
You would think that Honor and Richard's problems were over but their neighbors, the Greenvilles, have not forgotten what Richard had done to their father. However, it wasn't expected that Frances Greenville would fall in love with Adam Thornleigh. There is a feud between the families and a love match would be most unexpected.
When the Lady Elizabeth is set free and living in Hatfield, the Thornleighs are favored by the Lady Elizabeth when Adam saves her from an assassin's arrow. Between the two young people, there is gratitude and even love. Of course this would be highly impossible for Adam to be with the princess but you can always hope.
There is still unrest in the kingdom and an Exile's Bill threatens Protestants both living in exile and even at home. They could lose their livelihood to the Queen. Richard joins Parliament to bring down the Exile's Bill. For his actions, he is also favored by the Lady Elizabeth. The burnings during Queen Mary's reign is hard to witness, especially when one is your friend.
Honor's past (from 'The Queen's Lady') would haunt her when Frances learns about it from a disgruntled clergyman. I thought that he was finally dead in 'The Queen's Lady' so you can imagine my surprise when he is close to death in this book. However, Frances is in love with Adam and would not do anything to harm him. But she will use this knowledge to trap Adam. I like that Frances would keep Honor's secret but hate her as well for what she did to Adam. I felt so sorry for Adam.
All in all, the Thornleighs can't get away from John Greenville (Frances's brother) and his hatred for Richard. When their lives are turned upside down, Honor could only turn to the one person that can save them all. If only the Lady Elizabeth would become Queen.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I hope you would too when you read this book. I look forward to reading the fourth installment in the Thornleigh series, 'The Queen's Gamble'. I've also including Barbara Kyle's website for you to learn more about her books.
http://www.barbarakyle.com/
